Take Action to Support Funding for Medical Research

Published on: March 10, 2015

On February 2, the Obama Administration unveiled a proposed fiscal year (FY) 2016 budget that asks Congress to approve approximately $31.3 billion in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an increase of nearly $1 billion (3.3 percent) over the final FY 2015 appropriation for NIH.

It is important to remember that the President's nonbinding budget proposal merely sets forth the Administration's priorities and is just one step in a lengthy federal budget process. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees will soon begin the process of determining FY 2016 funding levels for all federal programs, including NIH. Last year Congress provided a modest increase for NIH, an important step that restores some of the funds lost due to sequestration. However, research needs predictable, sustained funding in order to maintain the strength of our scientific enterprise.

Your Senators and Representative need to continue to hear from you about the impact that unpredictable funding and potential funding cuts will have on your research and the patients you treat and the need for them to recognize the value of biomedical research by investing in the NIH.

Simply click "Take Action" below, enter your contact information on the next page, and click "Go!" If you prefer, call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121, ask to be connected to the offices of your Senators and Representative, and leave a message based on the draft letter on the following page. This will not take much time, but will have a huge impact.

If you have any questions, please contact ASH Legislative Advocacy Manager Tracy Roades.